BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI
The long-awaited Matabeleland North Provincial Hospital is back on Parliament’s agenda, with government being asked to provide an update on the project’s progress and expected completion date.
According to the National Assembly Order Paper of Tuesday, Hwange MP Daniel Molokele has asked the Minister of Health and Child Care to inform Parliament on the latest progress regarding construction of the Matabeleland North Provincial Hospital in Lupane and whether there is a specific timeline for its completion.
The question revives attention on a project that many residents have viewed as critical to improving access to specialist health services in the province.
Matabeleland North remains one of Zimbabwe’s largest provinces by land area, with residents often travelling long distances to access referral health services in Bulawayo and other urban centres.
For communities in districts such as Binga, Hwange, Tsholotsho, Nkayi and Lupane, the completion of the provincial hospital has long been seen as a key step towards strengthening healthcare services closer to home.
The parliamentary question comes as communities continue to raise concerns over access to healthcare, shortages of specialised services and the costs associated with travelling outside the province for treatment.
